Algerian Minister of Energy, Mines to Discuss Role of Private/Public Cooperation in Gas, Energy Sectors, February 13

His Excellency Dr. Chakib Khelil, Minister of Energy and Mines for the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, will address "The Role of the Energy Sector in Developing Algeria's Economy," on Thursday, February 13, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Khelil is expected to discuss the prominent role of private/public cooperation in gas and energy sector development and its contribution to Algeria's growth.

Khelil was named Minister of Energy and Mines on December 26, 1999, serving as president of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2001, and of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) in 2002. He is a former World Bank official (1980-1999) specializing in petroleum and energy issues in Africa, Latin America and Asia, and former president of the Valhyd Program in Algeria, an organization tasked with planning, developing and financing hydrocarbon resources. The Minister was an adviser to the President of Algeria from 1973-1976 and head of the Sonatrach Petroleum Engineering Department in Algeria during the early 1970s.

The event, sponsored by Columbia's Center for Energy, Marine Transportation and Public Policy, is free and open to the public. It will be held at the School of International and Public Affairs in Room 1501, The Kellogg Conference Center.